Introduction
When it comes to email marketing, two names often come up: Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) and Mailchimp. Both are powerful tools, but they’re built with different users in mind.
In 2025, the decision often comes down to budget, features, and long-term growth. If you’re stuck choosing between Brevo and Mailchimp, this guide breaks down their pricing, features, pros/cons, and ideal users — so you can confidently pick the right platform for your business.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Brevo (2025) | Mailchimp (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Based on emails sent | Based on number of contacts |
| Free Plan | 9,000 emails/month, unlimited contacts | 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month |
| Automation | Available on paid plans, beginner-friendly | Advanced, but higher tiers only |
| SMS & WhatsApp | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Not available natively |
| CRM Integration | ✅ Yes | Limited, mostly third-party |
| Reporting | Strong (heatmaps, engagement) | Advanced but complex |
| Ease of Use | Very simple | More advanced but steeper learning curve |
Brevo Overview (2025)
Brevo positions itself as an affordable, all-in-one marketing platform. It’s especially attractive to small businesses, e-commerce stores, and startups because you pay based on emails sent, not subscribers.
Key Strengths:
- Unlimited contacts on all plans.
- Email, SMS, and WhatsApp campaigns.
- Built-in CRM & pipeline management.
- User-friendly automation builder.
- Transparent, affordable pricing.
Mailchimp Overview (2025)
Mailchimp is one of the oldest and most popular email marketing tools. It offers advanced features and integrations, making it popular with larger businesses and agencies. However, it can get expensive quickly.
Key Strengths:
- Well-known brand with trust and reputation.
- Extensive integrations with other apps.
- Strong analytics and reporting.
- AI-driven content suggestions.
Pricing Comparison
Brevo Pricing (2025)
- Free Plan → 9,000 emails/month, unlimited contacts.
- Starter Plan → From $25/month.
- Business Plan → From $65/month.
- Plus → Custom pricing.
👉 Ideal for businesses with large contact lists but fewer email sends.
Mailchimp Pricing (2025)
- Free Plan → 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month.
- Essentials → From $13/month (500 contacts).
- Standard → From $20/month (500 contacts).
- Premium → From $350/month (10,000 contacts).
👉 Costs increase as your subscriber base grows.
Automation Comparison
- Brevo: Easy to set up with drag-and-drop workflows (welcome series, abandoned carts, re-engagement).
- Mailchimp: More advanced automation but often requires higher-tier plans.
Deliverability & Reliability
- Brevo: Strong deliverability, EU-based servers, GDPR-compliant.
- Mailchimp: Also strong but can flag small accounts for compliance issues.
Who Should Choose Brevo?
- ✅ Startups on a budget.
- ✅ E-commerce businesses (cart recovery, SMS, WhatsApp).
- ✅ Businesses with large subscriber bases but fewer email sends.
- ✅ Marketers who need affordable automation + CRM in one tool.
Who Should Choose Mailchimp?
- ✅ Larger enterprises with big budgets.
- ✅ Agencies needing advanced integrations.
- ✅ Users already invested in the Mailchimp ecosystem.
Conclusion
Both Brevo and Mailchimp are excellent tools in 2025, but the best choice depends on your business needs.
- If you want affordable, all-in-one marketing with unlimited contacts, Brevo is the clear winner.
- If you need enterprise-level integrations and advanced analytics (and don’t mind the cost), Mailchimp might suit you better.